Travel tips: Zaandam & Zaanse Schans Windmill museum

Zaandam is a small Dutch city about 12 minutes by train from Amsterdam Central or 20 minutes by car.  It's also famous for the nearby windmill park Zaanse-Schans, impossible for foreigners to pronounce. It's a recreated village with typical 18th century windmills and wooden houses. Zaandam itself gets its name from the river Zaan which runs through it.  You can cycle to Zaanse Schans which is about 20 min from Zaandam.

Zaandam centre has a shallow canal in the middle with two shopping streets on either side.  The shops are quaint and in typical Dutch architectural style and colourfully decorated.  Walking towards its main feature, the Inntel Hotel is the famous higgeldy piggeldy building of brilliantly artistic Dutch gables houses on its facade.   In stark contrast there is also a modern beautiful apartment block overlooking the main street and canal with cafes below to sit and take in the picturesque views.  Many residential houses are still in Dutch old style but due to their age, are known to be "sinking" slowly due to being built on old wooden beams. 

The famous Zaanse Schans museum are fully operational and open for visitors for an entrance fee.  There is a windmill for making oil, a wood saw windmill, and windmill to mill flour and spices. Some are original ones, dated back as far as to the 17th century while others are just replicas of old windmills. Nonetheless, still beautiful and authentic looking buildings. Small but close to Amsterdam, Zaandam and Zaanse Schans are worth visiting for any tourist.  Happy sight-seeing!